Read Amish Treasures of the Heart Online
Authors: Sophia Grace
“He tricked me! Why should I have to leave?” Jackson was furious.
“I was just having fun with this. I had beginner’s luck, and there’s no reason to get so worked up.” Jake tried to remain calm, he didn’t want to make Ellie even angrier. “I didn’t trick you like you tricked me into de-tasseling the corn!”
“I can’t help it you’re an idiot!” Jackson growled.
“I’ll send your pay,” Ellie said firmly. “Now pack up your things and get off the property.”
She was shaking, but she tried not to let it show.
Jackson threw his gear down and scowled at both of them. “You can have her! She’s a tease anyway!”
Jake could not take it anymore. He was not about to let this bully tarnish Ellie’s reputation. “That’s enough trash-talk. Maybe you want to pick on someone your own size!”
“Are you talking to me, runt?”
Jackson threw a punch, and Jake ducked, following through with a left hook to Jackson’s chin.
Jackson stumbled backward, and Jake reached out a hand to catch him. Once he regained his balance, he smacked Jake’s assisting hand away.
“I don’t need your help,” he grumbled. “Leave me alone!”
Jake watched him walk away, feeling relief that it was over.
He turned to Ellie. “I’m sorry about all that. I hope you’re not mad about the roping contest.”
Jake still couldn’t believe he had successfully roped the calf and won Jackson’s challenge. He hadn’t taken it seriously but he was still pleased with himself for accomplishing another skill.
Jackson stormed off, rubbing at his jaw and fuming. He didn’t believe Jake hadn’t cheated, and he was even angrier that Will was smiling with him and congratulating him. The worst of all of it was that Jake’s stunt had cost him his job
and
Ellie.
They watched him get into his truck and squeal the tires, throwing up gravel.
“Good riddance,” Jake said with a chuckle.
“I agree!” Will said.
Ellie smiled. “So, where did you learn to fight like that?”
“I went to public school in New York, remember?”
She giggled. “Remind me never to make you mad!”
“Trust me, you have nothing to worry about.”
He smiled and pulled Ellie into his arms, pressing a victory kiss upon her lips. He just couldn’t help himself.
Chapter 9.
Jake and Ellie worked in the large kitchen-garden, picking some ripe vegetables for dinner. He’d worked up quite the appetite. With Jackson gone, Will had helped him get acclimated with the chore schedule, and they’d been working since sun-up.
Ellie was impressed with Jake’s progress on the farm, and she couldn’t help but think he would make a good Amish farmer after all. They worked side-by-side picking out the best produce, both of them excited to be together after the long day apart. Jake was elated to have her by his side, her company making his hard day worth every ache he felt. He couldn’t help but find pleasure in being around her; he had fallen in love with her.
Jake looked over at the small corner of the garden that was still bare and looked back at Ellie with a sly smile. “You know, I think we ought to put in that celery patch in the bare section of your garden.”
Ellie giggled and looked at the ground shyly. She knew why he was saying this but she still wanted to play along since she wanted so badly to hear it from his lips. “And why is that, Jake?”
“Well if we’re to be married in November, that doesn’t leave much time to get everything prepared for a traditional Amish wedding like you want.”
She suppressed a smile. “Jake Fisher, what kind of proposal was that?”
“Who said I was asking?” he teased.
“I did!” she answered.
“Well,” he said, pretending to think about it. “You are my boss, and I have to do what my boss says!”
She folded her arms across her chest. “Maybe I don’t want to be your boss.”
“Why not?” he asked, playing along.
“Because I’d rather be your
fraa—
your wife.”
He tossed a couple of cucumbers into the wicker basket with the snap beans and tomatoes. “Well, then I suppose we better get busy on that celery patch—that is if you’ll have me.”
“Are you asking this time?” she teased.
He pulled himself up from the dirt and rested on one knee, pulling her hand into his. He kissed the back of her hand ever so gently and smiled. “Ellie Yoder, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“
Jah—
yes!” She threw her arms around him and planted a kiss on his lips, but he pulled her gently away.
“Now, hold on a minute. There’s more!” he said with a smile.
She looked at him curiously.
“Will you teach me how to clean out the nesting boxes without getting pecked to death, and show me how to gather the eggs without having to put my hands under the hens, and show me how to milk the cow, and…”
“Yes to all of it,” she said with a giggle. “But only if you teach me how to rope that calf.”
He laughed. “Oh, I can’t teach you that. We have to keep some mystery in our marriage!”
“Jake Fisher,” she said with a reprimanding tone.
“Alright, I’ll teach you. I suppose it’s only fair considering all you have to teach me.”
He pulled her close and kissed her again. “And just think, we have a whole lifetime to learn it all. I love you, Ellie, and I can’t wait until November. Do you suppose we could plant some of that fast-growing celery?”
She giggled. “Perhaps we might have to buy some from the grocery store in town.”
“But isn’t that cheating?” he asked.
She smiled. “I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.”
He chuckled. “See, another reason why I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” she said with a giggle, and planting another kiss on his lips.
THE END!
FROM THE CHERRY ORCHARD…Bonus Material
Cherry Pie
Ingredients:
5 cups fresh pitted and stemmed Bing cherries
2/3 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon fine salt
flour, for dusting the work surface
(see recipe for pie dough below)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon sanding sugar
Pie Crust
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon fine salt
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 stick), cut into small pieces
4 to 5 tablespoons ice water
German Cherry Streusel
Ingredients:
½ lb. butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 can cherry pie filling
Topping:
2 tablespoons butter
¼ cup sugar
¼ cup flour